In 2016 I bought a 250w 36v front wheel kit from Amazon ($180.00), a 36 volt charger ($35.00) and a 3 pack of SLA batteries from Mighty Max (on Amazon $61.00). Batteries lasted 2 years with about 1000 miles of riding, and I bought another set in 2018 (same price!) These also lasted the same, and in this period I swapped the motor kit to a "Cruiser" style bike-----the first was a "Mountain Bike". Fast forward to now, I just ordered my third set (still the same price!!) and expect the same good service from them. I am also on a tight budget and find that the $61.00 every couple of years is much easier to afford than the several hundred all at once for the lithium batteries. I enjoy the cruiser much more than the MTB and plan on riding it well into my 80's------almost there. I found that after the 2 years the range dropped to about 5 miles, and this is charging after every ride. Nice day today, time for a ride! Art